Don’t sell marginal oil fields to Individuals, Falana tells FG

A senior advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Femi Falana (SAN) has advised the Federal Government against selling the country’s marginal oil fields to individuals, saying they should be shared with a view to redistributing national wealth.

“Why are we selling the oil fields to individuals when the states are suffering? Why don’t we sell or lease them to the states so that they can make money to run the business of governance?” he wondered.

Falana gave the advice at the weekend while delivering a paper on “The Nation Nigeria: Restructuring, Secession or Status Quo – the Way Forward” at the Obafemi Adewale Colloquium and Law Dinner organised by the Young Lawyers Forum of Nigeria Bar Association (NBA) Ado Ekiti Branch to mark Adewale’s 60th birthday.

The SAN, who said the fight against corruption was only at the surface level, charged the Federal Government to take a serious look at cases of graft by putting in place necessary framework and addressing basic necessities and social security that will discourage corruption.

According to him, countries that have significantly reduced corruption have in place effective healthcare delivery system, health insurance, mortgage and public transportation. “When you address basic necessities of life, you don’t have to preach against corruption. Those who engage in corruption will be seen as mad when basic needs are met.”

Falana said restructuring of the Nigerian economy is key to finding solution to the myriads of problems facing the nation.

According to him, the ongoing debate on restructuring focuses on devolution of powers without responsibilities and quest to satisfy ethnic groups, but the bottom line of restructuring which the agitators have failed to address is the economy.

He charged legal practitioners to fight for the redemption of the country, saying: “As lawyers, we must save our society.

If we are going to join the struggle for restructuring, we should not join as politicians seeking transfer of power to the regions.

“Let it be for reduction of power at the centre, transfer of power to the states. Let us seek reduction of cost of governance. Let us seek right to education and equitable distribution of wealth. Let us fight lopsided appointments in the country and talk about economic restructuring.

Majority of our people are poor and they are battling with survival. If you want more powers from Abuja, it is not relevant to them. Restructuring that has to do with job-creation for the youths. “